Leaving Leaves This Fall

Stuff We Love

Oct. 10, 2026

It’s that time of year again, folks, when the leaves start dropping and everything else in your yard goes from green to gold to brown. Rather than going in for a clean sweep or burning debris, local environmental groups recommend two paths forward through the foliage. Option one: Leave it where it lies. Leaves are one of nature’s great fertilizers, especially if you pop them in your garden or landscaping beds. They also tamp down on weeds in the yard and provide habitat to overwintering insects. Just be sure to keep leaves out of gutters, culverts, and other drainage areas. Option two: Choose a composting leaf service. Many city leaf pick-ups, including the City of Traverse City (which starts service Oct. 19), compost the leaves, and other independent businesses do the same. Look for this option when scheduling, especially as some will let you buy back finished compost in the spring!